The election echo chamber

Jeremy Gantz

Although it might be the most tedious and unnecessary thing I've ever read, this NY Times article does ably prove two things: 1) America has too many pundits, who too often say the same thing with barely different inflections. 2) There's something very narcissistic about a major news organization writing major news organizations into the news script. It's hard to imagine anyone reading every line of this article - this paragraph can put a speed addict to sleep: Even as Mrs. Clinton’s real-vote lead over Mr. Obama in the state dwindled to just 16,000 as later returns came in, the CBS News Web site held on to its headline, “Clinton Wins Ind., Obama Takes N.C.” But at least halfway in, a small dose of wry perspective on the punditocracy appears: Of course, the political news media have not exactly showered themselves in glory this year. They have frequently made predictions that have been upended by actual votes from actual people. Good to be reminded that actual people still figure into this election's equation.

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Jeremy Gantz is an In These Times contributing editor working at Time magazine.

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